Wolverines Fall to MSU in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal

Friday, May 11

Madison, Wis.

4:30 PM CT

Michigan

43-11

Michigan State

26-25

Michigan State

Michigan

Wolverines Fall to MSU in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal

5/12/2018 2:32:00 AM | Softball

Box Score Photo Gallery

By: Leah Howard

» No. 16 Michigan fell to Michigan State, 7-0, in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
» U-M struggled from the plate, tying a season-low three hits while posting a season-high 10 strikeouts.
» LHP Meghan Beaubien took the loss, allowing seven runs on five hits and five walks.

Site: Madison, Wis. (Goodman Diamond)
Event: Big Ten Tournament (Day 2 of 3)
Score: Michigan State 7, #16 Michigan 0
Records: U-M (43-11), MSU (26-25)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, May 13 -- NCAA Selection Show (ESPN2), 10 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 16-ranked University of Michigan softball team was knocked out of the Big Ten Conference Tournament early, falling to Michigan State, 7-0, in the quarterfinal round in the early hours of Saturday (May 12) at Wisconsin's Goodman Diamond.

It was the second time in as many seasons that Michigan swept the regular-season series against its in-state rival but lost in the tournament quarterfinals.

The Spartans took advantage of several free bases and bases-loaded production in plating two in the top of the second inning and five in the fifth to pull away. All-America center fielder Lea Foerster pushed across the first and game-winning runs on a two-out, two-run single up the middle in the former frame. MSU earned five free bases in the fifth on a hit-by-pitch, two walks, an error and a wild pitch -- with four Spartans who reached as a result of a free base coming around to score.

Michigan, conversely, struggled all night at the plate, tying a season-low three hits while posting a season-high 10 strikeouts. U-M put runners on base in each of the last six innings, including two in the sixth frame, but could not advance a runner past second base. Junior second baseman Faith Canfield posted two hits.

Freshman left-handed pitcher Meghan Beaubien (32-4) took the loss, allowing a season-high seven runs on five hits and five walks through four innings.

The NCAA Tournament team selections and regional sites will be announced Sunday (May 13) at 10 p.m. on ESPN2. Michigan has been in the NCAA field in each of the last 23 seasons, reaching the Women's College World Series 12 times and winning the 2005 national championship.